2026-BWS-002-Distribution Laboratory Intern, Queens

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system’s 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City.

The Bureau of Water Supply (BWS) employs nearly 1,000 people who are responsible for the management, operation, and protection of New York City's upstate water supply system, associated facilities and aqueducts, over 100 miles of road, 55 bridges, and approximately 150,000 acres of watershed lands. The mission of the Bureau of Water Supply is to reliably deliver a sufficient quantity of high-quality drinking water and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the delivery of this most valuable resource in order to promote public health, economic development, and quality of life of the City of New York. BWS is also responsible for the overall management and implementation of the provisions of the City's $1.5 billion Watershed Protection Program and for ensuring the City's compliance with the provisions of the Filtration Avoidance Determination. Within BWS, we have diverse roles and responsibilities, and each of us contributes to the same mission of reliably providing New York City with its most valuable natural resource.

The primary focus of this internship is to assist the Distribution Field Operations and Limnology program by preparing sampling equipment, sample bottles, field meters, and data recording devices.

The intern will play a role in achieving project objectives, including participation in weekly limnology surveys at distribution reservoirs. Other responsibilities will be but not limited to adherence to proper chain of custody procedures during sample transfer to the laboratory, data verification, inventory assessments, analyzing process control samples, collaborating with field staff in collecting consumer complaint samples, and contributing to data management and recordkeeping.

In addition, the summer intern will develop a final presentation to display assignments they have been involved with while working as an intern at the DEP Interns Closing Ceremony.

RECRUITMENT CONTACT: [email protected]

SUMMER COLLEGE INTERN - 10234

Minimum Qualifications

As of June of the Program year the prospective intern must be a student matriculated in a college or be a recent college graduate (winter/spring term of the Program year).

NOTE: Appointment to this title is only valid for the duration of the Program, June - August each year.

Preferred Skills

Student must currently be enrolled at a college/university at the undergraduate level coursework in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology or other related field of study. Student must have at least a 2.5GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Strong writing skills. Effective interpersonal and communication skills. Proficiency with MS office. Knowledge of laboratory hazards and chemical compatibilities. Familiarity and/or experience with computers/software including spreadsheets and large data sets Leadership skills including self motivation and ability to work well independently and with others, with minimal supervision and a willingness to learn.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is NOT required for this position.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

, $17.00 – $17.00